Tories: We could not give Crossrail go-ahead until we look at the Treasury books

Thursday 18 March 2010 10:33 BST

London's long-awaited Crossrail scheme was thrown into fresh doubt as Kenneth Clarke raised a question mark over its funding package.

The shadow business secretary said a go-ahead could not be given by the Tories until they are in power and went over the Treasury books.

He said: "When he takes office, [shadow chancellor] George Osborne is going to have to look at the full range of financial commitments that have been entered into by the Government.

"I think the party is favourably disposed towards Crossrail but I can't say how and when we can firmly commit to the pubic sector contribution."Mr Clarke's verdict will dismay business leaders clamouring for the delayed £16 billion east-west rail link.

Tory leader David Cameron, however, has signalled strong support for the project which is regarded as essential to Boris Johnson's re-election. But he said that nobody outside the Treasury yet knows the scale of liabilities left over from Labour's giant private finance schemes.

He added: "If I were George [Osborne] I would keep my powder dry. It's silly in an election campaign to commit to expenses until you know if you can afford it."